Ghost pipefish @ Komodo, Indonesia by Travel Tips and Stories

The ghost pipefish is one of the most sought-after and fascinating underwater creatures in Komodo National Park. They are known for their impressive camouflage and distinctive appearance, making them a favourite among divers and macro photographers.
1. Characteristics and Appearance
Camouflage: This is their most important survival technique. They perfectly adapt their shape, colour and texture to their surroundings to blend in with seagrass, corals or sea lilies. Shape: They have an elongated, angular body and a tubular snout. The fins are often large and translucent. Size: They typically grow to between 5 and 15 cm in length.
2. Species in Komodo
Whilst diving in Komodo, you are most likely to encounter the following species:
Spotted Ghost Pipefish (Ornate Ghost Pipefish): This variant is often brightly coloured in shades of red, yellow or black, and has many spiny appendages. They like to hide near gorgonians (fan-shaped corals) and crinoids (sea lilies).
Harlequin Ghost Pipefish: This species is somewhat more subtle in colour and, with its white and dark spots, looks exactly like the leaves of seagrass or certain corals.
3. Behaviour and Lifestyle
Diet: They are hunters that feed on small crustaceans, which they suck up with their tube-shaped snout, much like a vacuum cleaner.
Reproduction: Unlike many other fish, the females are larger than the males. They carry their fertilised eggs in a pouch formed by their pelvic fins.
4. Where to find them in Komodo?
Ghost pipefish are found throughout the Komodo area, particularly at sheltered, calm dive sites with sandy bottoms, coral slopes and seagrass beds. They are often found at depths between 5 and 25 metres. Popular dive sites in Komodo to look for them include locations in the central and northern parts of the park, such as Sebayor Kecil and Wainilu.